Synchronous dynamic random access memory for burst read/write operations

ABSTRACT

A synchronous DRAM has cell arrays arranged in matrix, divided into banks accessed asynchronously, and n bit I/O buses for transferring data among the cell arrays. In the DRAM, the banks are divided into m blocks, the n-bit I/O buses located between adjacent banks, is used for time sharing between adjacent banks in common, the n bit I/O buses, used for time sharing between adjacent banks in common, are grouped into n/m-bit I/O buses, every n/m bits for each block of m blocks of bank, and in each block in each bank, data input/output are carried out between the n/m-bit I/O buses and data bus lines in each block. A synchronous DRAM includes a first and second internal clock systems for controlling a burst data transfer in which a string of burst data being transferred in synchronism with an external clock signal, when one of the internal clock systems is driven, the burst data transfer is commenced immediately by the selected internal clock system.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/426,316 filed Apr. 30, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,433 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/265,815 filed Oct. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,955 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/981,950 filed Oct. 17, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,142 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/645,291 filed Aug. 24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,503 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/418,958 filed Oct. 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,615, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/997,967 filed Dec. 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,491, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/718,786 filed Sept. 24, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,211, which is divisional of Ser. No. 08/310,945 filed Sept. 23, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,541, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) for burst read/write operations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

FIG. 1 shows a conventional dynamic RAM (DRAM) with a conventional basic architectural configuration. FIG. 2 shows a detailed drawing of the conventional DRAM shown in FIG. 1.

In the conventional basic architectural configuration of the dynamic RAM (DRAM), as shown in FIG. 1, data read out of a memory cell selected by a word line is transferred to a sense amplifier (S/A) via a bit line.

A pair of data items amplified by the S/A are read out to an output buffer 104 through a pair of FETs 101 (shown in FIG. 2) through which the pair of data items are controlled by a signal on a column select line CSL.

In the conventional basic architectural configuration of the DRAM shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, we will describe one of the architectural configurations of a conventional synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) below.

FIG. 3 shows a path of the synchronous data read/write operations for the input and output of one unit of data. These operations will now be briefly explained.

During the output of one string of serial data, when the head address of the data in the string is provided, two adjacent CSLs corresponding to column select lines CSL1 and CSL2 are selected, and four items of data from memory cells are read out through four pairs of DB lines. This is a 2-bit prefetch system whereby data read out of two columns within two clock cycles simultaneously is transferred serially, and two pairs of DB lines are selected to coincide with serial access addressing from the four pairs of DB lines. This selection is performed by a DB selector. The data on the two pairs of selected DB lines is transferred to two pairs of RWD lines RWD1 and RWD2. Data in the first two cycles on the two pairs of RWD lines are stored into registers R1 and R2, and data in the next two cycles are stored into registers R3 and R4.

In this write operation to the registers R1 to R4, the sequence for storing the data from the RWD lines RWD1 and RWD2 in the registers R1 to R4 is determined by RWD switches RWDS1 and RWDS2.

The data passing through these switches RWDS1 and RWDS2 is stored in access sequence into the registers R1 to R4 by register transfer gates RTG1 and RTG2 which open alternately every two cycles to provide high speed data output.

The RWD switches 1,2 and the register transfer gates RTG1 and RTG2, as shown in FIG. 3, are made up of gates of FETs. The data stored in the registers R1, R4, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, is read out to the output buffer 104.

FIG. 5 shows a timing chart of the data transfer state in this data read operation described above. In FIG. 5, the data transfer state is illustrated under the condition that the burst length is 8 and the number of latency is 3 counted after address is determined or latched.

In FIG. 5, the operational state of each of the configurational elements shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated. These will now be explained in order.

First, in a clock cycle (CLK), a Column Address Strobe (/CAS) is switched from high to the low, the head address of one string of burst data is set, and access is commenced. After the head address is determined, according to the addressing sequence of the burst data access, an internal address is produced for every two cycles and an access operation is carried out at the rise of levels of every two column select lines CSL.

When the column select line CSL rises, the DB line pair immediately enters to a busy state. When the data has been kept satisfactorily on the DB line pair, using the DB selector, data from two pairs in four-pair DB lines is transferred to the RWD line pair, and the RWD lines enter to the busy state every two cycles.

When data is kept sufficiently on the RWD lines, the data is stored into the register by the operation of one of the register transfer gates RTG1, RTG2 and one of the RWD switches RWD1 and RWD2.

In this data store operation, the RWD switches 1 or 2 are suitably selected by addressing for the burst data and turned ON, normally the register transfer gates 1 and 2 are alternately ON, and the data is stored in the register.

When the respective register transfer gates RTG1 and RTG2 are turned ON, the contents of the register are immediately rewritten and data is transferred serially from an OUTPUT which enters the busy state.

While these burst data transfer are controlled, after the access for the burst data transfer is completed, the clock cycle for commencing a new burst transfer access is restricted because the internal operation is operated in two clock cycles. In other words, a time restriction is produced so that a new access is not commenced from an optional cycle after the burst data transfer is completed. When a new burst data transfer access is commenced from an optional cycle after the previous burst transfer is completed, it is necessary to temporarily reset the control of the clock period and commence the new burst data transfer after two clock cycles.

For this reason, a data burst completion signal is generated internally at a time when the burst data transfer access is completed and when it becomes unnecessary to control the burst data transfer access. The control system is reset from the clock cycle in which the data burst completion signal is generated. This clock cycle is designated by the reference number CLK9 shown in FIG. 5.

Because if the reset is not completed it is not possible to commence a new burst data transfer cycle and a time period of several tens of ns is required for the reset, the setting of a new starting address for a new burst data transfer occurs from a clock cycle 11. For this reason, it is not possible to set a new burst access in clock cycles CLK9 and CLK10. Accordingly, the output of a new burst data transfer is not possible after the thick dotted line in FIG. 5, so that data output of the new burst data transfer is only possible after the thin dotted line, which is disadvantageous in high speed burst data transfer.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the reset operation described above is required in a conventional synchronous DRAM during the transfer for a burst data string. Because this reset operation takes a comparatively long time, it is very troublesome to transfer burst data continuously at high speed.

In addition, in a conventional synchronous DRAM, the data transfer system for cell arrays of multibank architectural configuration is not arranged in an optimum manner, necessitating an increase in the area of the chip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is, with due consideration to the drawbacks of such conventional synchronous DRAM, to provide a synchronous DRAM wherein the arrangement of cell arrays with a multibank architectural configuration and a data transfer system is optimized and/or high speed burst data transfer is achieved.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) comprising:

a plurality of cell arrays, each of which contains cells, arranged in rows and columns, and being divided into a plurality of banks which being accessed asynchronously; and

a plurality of n bit I/O buses for the simultaneous input and output of n bits of data among said plurality of cell arrays,

wherein said each bank is divided into m blocks (m is a positive integer) with a plurality of said cell arrays,

the n-bit I/O buses (n is a positive integer), located between adjacent banks, is used for time sharing between adjacent banks in common,

said n bit I/O buses, used for time sharing between adjacent banks in common, are grouped into n/m bit I/O buses, every n/m bits for each block of m blocks of bank, and

in each block in each bank, data input/output are carried out between said n/m-bit I/O buses and data bus lines in each bank.

In the synchronous DRAM described above, said n/m-bit I/O buses are located between adjacent banks.

The synchronous DRAM above, further comprising drive means for driving said cell arrays,

wherein a predetermined numbers of said Data Bus(DB) lines are located between adjacent cell arrays, said DB lines are used for time sharing in common by said adjacent cell arrays, and said adjacent cell arrays are driven alternately under the control of said drive means.

In the synchronous DRAM above, n=8 and m=2, a 8 bit I/O bus is provided in common between said adjacent banks, each bank is divided into 2 blocks, and each block uses a 4 bit I/O bus in said 8 bit I/O bus.

In the synchronous DRAM above, n=8 and m=4, a 8 bit I/O bus is provided in common between said adjacent banks, each bank is divided into 4 blocks, and each block uses a 2 bit I/O bus in said 8 bit I/O bus.

In the synchronous DRAM above, further comprises I/O buffers, each corresponds to each of said I/O buses, and said I/O buffer is located adjacent to an I/O pad corresponding to said I/O buffer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a synchronous DRAM comprising:

a first internal clock system and a second internal clock system for controlling a burst data transfer in which a string of burst data being transferred in synchronism with an external clock signal, when one of said internal clock systems being driven, the burst data transfer is commenced immediately by said selected internal clock system,

wherein when the transfer of a string of burst data is completed under the control of the first internal clock system or when a burst interrupt signal for interrupting the transfer of the string of burst data is input, the first internal clock system enters to a reset state, and the second internal clock system is driven to control the transfer of a string of a next burst data.

In the synchronous DRAM above, further comprises a first internal clock system and a second internal clock system for controlling a burst data transfer in which a string of burst data being transferred in synchronism with an external clock signal, when one of said internal clock systems being driven, the burst data transfer is commenced immediately by said selected internal clock system,

wherein when the transfer of a string of burst data is completed under the control of the first internal clock system or when a burst interrupt signal for interrupting the transfer of the string of burst data is received, the first internal clock system enters to a reset state, and the second internal clock system is driven to control the transfer of a string of a next burst data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration drawing for a conventional DRAM.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one part of the configuration of the conventional DRAM shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one part of the configuration relating to a burst data transfer for a conventional synchronous DRAM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one part of the configuration of the synchronous DRAM shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for the burst data transfer operation of the structure of the synchronous DRAM shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a configuration drawing for the first embodiment of a synchronous DRAM of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the relationship between cell arrays and data buses in a cell array pair shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between data transfer paths and banks shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a driver means for driving cell arrays incorporated in the synchronous DRAM of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is another configuration drawing for the first embodiment of a synchronous DRAM of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration drawing for the relationship between I/O buses and I/O pads in a synchronous DRAM of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration drawing of two internal clock systems in a synchronous DRAM as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram specifically showing one part of the configuration of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a diagram specifically showing one part of the configuration of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is an operation timing chart for the structure shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Other features of this invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of exemplary embodiments which are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is an architectural configuration diagram for a first preferred embodiment of a synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (synchronous DRAM) of the present invention.

The first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can basically be considered as a synchronous DRAM with a 64 Mega-bits (64 Mb) structural configuration. The 64 Mb synchronous DRAM shown comprises four banks each of which is 4096 Rows×512 Columns×8 I/Os (2×4I/Os).

Each bank includes two blocks, for example, block 1 and block 2 in the bank 1. Each block comprises eight cell array pairs 63, each of the cell array pair is 1 M bits. In further detail, as shown in FIG. 7, each 1 Mb cell array pair 63 consists of two cell arrays 71 and 72, each of 1024 Columns×512 Rows with sense amplifiers (S/As) incorporated between the two cell array 71 and 72. Each of the blocks in each bank has a data bus 61 for every four I/Os. In this manner, a bank is divided into two blocks with each half corresponding to half of I/Os, so that eight I/Os can be accommodated with a bus for four I/Os, namely for four blocks. This configuration provides a reduction in the chip area because the area of I/O buses 61 is half of the area of the conventional synchronous DRAM shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, when driving the cell arrays, for example, in the case of the bank 1, the 1 Mb cell array pairs 63 indicated by the slanted lines are driven, and each cell array pair 63 uses every two I/Os. Each I/O bus 61 is formed from four I/Os and is provided in common between the adjacent two banks, for example between the bank 1 and the bank 2 or between the bank 3 and the bank 4. This is because data cannot be transferred to two banks at the same time from the specifications of the synchronous DRAM.

Next, the architectural configuration of the data transfer path between the cell array and the I/O bus will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of one cell array pair 63 (slanted line section) as shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 7, cell arrays 71, 72, and 73 are made up of 1024 Columns×512 Rows. Sense amplifiers (S/As) 74 are used in common on the two sides of the cell arrays 71 and 72 and perform a sensing operation for bit lines 76 of the cell array 71 or 72 which is driven. The S/A 74 aligned on the two sides of the selected driven cell array, for example, cell array 72 carries out a sensing operation on a bit line of that cell array.

Four pairs of data bus lines DB11, DB12, DB13, DB14 are located between the cell arrays 71 and 72, and four pairs of data bus lines DB21, DB22, DB23, DB24 are provided between the cell arrays 72 and 73. For example, two pairs in the data bus lines DB11, DB12, DB13, and DB14 are selected by a DB selector 75. Data is transferred in the same manner as explained in FIG. 3.

Not shown in FIG. 7, for the connection of bit lines 76 represented by a dotted line and each S/A 74, switch circuits which are cut off as an non-driven cell array is provided between each S/A 74 and each bit line 76.

The bit lines 76 in one cell array are arranged into the right direction and the left direction every two to form different I/Os. As shown in FIG. 7, column select lines CSL1 and CSL2 indicate two adjacent column selector lines selected simultaneously at each clock cycle. By the column select lines CSL1 and CSL2, the two DB lines in the four pair of I/Os which are on the both sides of the cell array 72 are connected to the S/A 4 at a time.

Next, the connection relationship between the I/O1 to I/O4 RWD lines consisting of the I/O buses are shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the part 62 enclosed by the dotted line shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the I/O1 RWD lines to the I/O4 RWD line which are the common I/Os for the bank 1 and the bank 2. The cell arrays 63 as the slanted line section in the bank 1 is selectively driven. The enlarged configuration of the cell arrays 63 are shown in detail. Every other one of the two cell arrays are driven. For example, the cell array 71 and 73 shown by the slanted lines are driven. For example, the cell array 71 and 73 shown by the slanted lines are driven. The driven DB selectors 81 to 84 are also indicated by the slanted lines and connected to the I/O1 RWD line to I/O4 RWD line in sequence to the half of the blocks shown in FIG. 8 forming the bank 1. Also, the RWD lines for the I/Os 5, 6, 7, 8 are connected to other half of the blocks for the banks not shown in FIG. 8.

The DB lines are used in common at the both sides of the cell arrays 71 to 74 so that if this type of data transfer path is provided it is possible to assign the address of I/O to each cell array effectively by driving every other one of the cell arrays.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a driver means 90 for driving the cell arrays 71 to 74 incorporated in the synchronous DRAM of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, two cell arrays 71 and 73 are driven under the control of the driver means 90. The data from the cell array 71 are transferred to the I/O1 and I/O2 RWD lines through the DB selectors 81 and 82. The data from the cell array 73 are transferred to the I/O3 and I/O4 RWD lines through the DB selectors 83 and 84 (indicated by the slanted lines). Thus, the DB lines are used in common by the adjacent cell arrays. For example, the DB lines connected to the DB selector 82 are used for the cell array 71 and the cell array 72 in common under time-sharing.

Accordingly, by means of the cell arrays and the data transfer paths with this architectural configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention described above in detail, it is possible to form a large volume synchronous DRAM can be formed because the increase of the system area caused by the data transmission paths can be held to a minimum. Specifically, the architectural configuration of the synchronous DRAM as this embodiment is that each bank is divided into two blocks and the I/O RWD lines assigned in two parts, and the data buses which can be used for time-sharing are separated partially and the data transfer paths in the data buses which can be used for time-sharing between the banks and the like is provided in common with the cell arrays, the banks, and the like,

In the first embodiment described above, one bank is divided into two. However, as shown in FIG. 10 for example, one bank may also be divided into four blocks BLOCK1 to BLOCK4 and 2 bit I/O buses can be used for the respective blocks.

Also, in the configuration arrangements shown in FIG. 6, if an I/O buffer (omitted from FIGS. 6 and 11) corresponding to the respective I/O buses 61, as shown in FIG. 11, is formed in a layout region 106 (designated by the dotted line) for pads adjacent to an I/O pad (omitted from FIG. 11), the wiring path between the I/O buffer and the I/O pad is short, and it is possible to provide a reduction in the chip area.

FIG. 12 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram of a clock system for controlling the internal operation, showing the architecture for alleviating the limitations of the reset explained in the conventional example of an internal clock for controlling the data transfer.

The heavy lines in FIG. 12 show one signal path. When one series of operations is completed for this system, reset and switching signals are transferred to each block as shown by the dotted lines.

An external clock signal CLK is transferred through a switch S1 to the internal clock system 1 which generates a signal for controlling the output from the registers R1 to R4 shown in FIG. 3. The internal clock system 1 receives an external signal/CAS to generate an internal clock signal for control from the external clock signal CLK. The internal clock signal drives a burst control section 117 for controlling a burst data access through a switch W1.

When one string of burst access is completed under the control of the burst control section 117 or when a burst interrupt signal provided externally is received which halts the burst access in progress, an END signal is transferred to a block ES118 which generates a reset and switching signal from the burst control section 117. The block ES118 outputs a signal R1 or a signal R2 alternately each time the END signal is received. FIG. 13 shows the case where the signal R1 rises. At this time the signal R2 drops. As a result, the switch S1 if OFF, the switch S2 is ON, the internal clock system 1 enters to a reset state and the internal clock system 2 is in the standby state.

Next, when the /CAS signal is received, the internal clock system 2 can operate at any time, in accordance with the external clock signal CLK. Also, the switch S1 is OFF and the switch S2 is ON. As a result, the control of the next burst data transfer operation is carried out from the internal clock system 2.

In this manner, the next burst data operation can be performed by using another internal clock system without delaying the completion of the reset of the internal clock system used up to this point, therefore the conventional type of restrictions are not produced. In other word, the time restriction that a new access is commenced from an optional cycle after the previous burst data transfer is completed is not produced in the second embodiment.

The switches S1, S2, W1, W2, the internal clock systems 1 and 2, and the burst control section 117 shown in FIG. 12 are structured, for example, as shown in FIG. 13.

The switches S1, S2, W1, W2 are formed from a complementary FET. The internal block systems 1 and 2 comprise a shift register 120 which generates a control signal for controlling sequentially a transfer gate 129 which controls the output of data from registers R1 to R4, and a transfer gate 121 for selecting control signals for the internal clock system 1 and the internal clock system 2 which are generated by shift registers 120 based on the switching signals R1 or R2 and then providing one of them to the transfer gates 129.

The burst control section 117 comprises a counter 122 for counting the length of one string of a burst data transfer to know the completion of the burst data transfer, and an OR gate 123 which transfer an END signal from the output of the counter 122 or from the input of the burst interrupt signal.

The block ES 118, as shown in FIG. 12, has a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 14. Clocked inverters 131 operate as inventers when the END signal and the /END signal rise, and when these signals END and /END fall, the output of the clocked inverters 131 becomes a high impedance. The /END signal is complementary to the END signal, therefore whenever the END signal is in pulse form, the signals R1 and R2 rise alternatively as shown in FIG. 15.

In this manner, in the second embodiment described above, by providing two internal clock systems 1 and 2 for controlling the burst data transfer and using these two systems 1 and 2 alternatively, it is possible to eliminate restrictions on the burst data transfer because of the time required to reset the clock system. In addition, by combining the second embodiment with the first embodiment having the architectural configuration shown in FIG. 6, the area required in the system can be reduced and therefore the cost is reduced. It is therefore possible to provide a large volume SDRAM combined with the advantage of mitigating the restrictions relating to burst data transfer.

As explained in the foregoing, in the present invention, the banks are divided into a plurality of blocks, the I/O buses are divided to correspond to the various blocks, the I/O buses are used in common between adjacent banks, and the data buses are also used in common between adjacent cell arrays. It is therefore possible to optimize the layout configuration of the cell array and the mechanism of a burst data transfer and to achieve a size reduction of a synchronous DRAM.

In addition, two control systems for controlling the burst data transfer are provided by the present invention, therefore by using the two systems alternately, a reduction in transmission speed is prevented by resetting the burst data burst transfer, and it is possible to achieve high speed data burst transmissions.

While the above provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents any be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore the above description and illustration should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A data transfer control circuit comprising: a plurality of first switch circuits to which an external clock signal is supplied, the first switch circuits alternately transferring the external clock signal in response to a switching signal; a plurality of internal clock generating circuits which are connected to the first switch circuits respectively, the internal clock generating circuits generating internal clock signals in response to the external clock signal; a plurality of second switch circuits which are connected to the internal clock generating circuits respectively, the second switch circuits alternately transferring the internal clock signals in response to the switching signals; a burst control circuit supplied with output signals from the second switch circuits, the burst control circuit controlling a transmission of series data; and a switching signal generating circuit which receives a signal output from the burst control circuit, the switching signal generating circuit generating the switching signal when burst transfer is completed.
 2. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein the burst control circuit is controlled by a burst interrupt signal.
 3. A data transfer control system comprising: a plurality of first switch circuits to which an external clock signal is supplied, the first switch circuits alternately transferring the external clock signal in response to a switching signal; a plurality of internal clock generating circuits which are connected to the first switch circuits respectively, the internal clock generating circuits generating internal clock signals in response to the external clock signal; a plurality of second switch circuits which are connected to the internal clock generating circuits respectively, the second switch circuits alternately transferring the internal clock signals in response to the switching signals; a burst control circuit supplied with output signals from the second switch circuits, the burst control circuit controlling a transmission of series data; and a switching signal generating circuit which receives a signal output from the burst control circuit, the switching signal generating circuit generating the switching signal when burst transfer is completed.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the burst control circuit is controlled by a burst interrupt signal. 